Coronavirus-related developments round New England:
MASSACHUSETTS
Activists wearing hospital robes will collect on the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse to induce state lawmakers to make use of $17 million of about $5.1 billion in federal pandemic aid funds to shut the hole that they are saying prevents seniors from having the ability to afford wanted well being care.
Monday’s rally is being organized by the Massachusetts Senior Motion Council. Members will press state lawmakers to increase the Medicare Financial savings Program to incorporate these residing at as much as 200% of the federal poverty line — or about $2,146 monthly.
Supporters stated this system helps hundreds of Massachusetts seniors save a whole lot of {dollars} a month on well being care bills. Activists who pushed to increase this system to incorporate these at 165% of the federal poverty degree within the 2020 price range stated hundreds of seniors who nonetheless don’t qualify are struggling.
Practically all Massachusetts seniors with incomes under $2,000 a month, and with out MassHealth or different help, spend greater than 20% of their earnings on Medicare premiums based on the council. COVID-19 has solely thrown extra seniors into financial insecurity, activists stated.
The protest is deliberate for 10 a.m..
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
The College of New Hampshire is making a few of its pandemic-related commencement ceremony modifications everlasting.
The college historically has held one massive ceremony in its outside soccer stadium, however due to the pandemic, it divided seniors up by their schools and held a handful of separate ceremonies.
That gave college students the prospect to stroll throughout the stage and obtain their diplomas as an alternative of being acknowledged abruptly, and officers have determined to maintain that apply going ahead.
Beginning subsequent Might, graduation workouts shall be moved indoors to the Whittemore Heart and graduates shall be break up up by tutorial school, Foster’s Each day Democrat reported.
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VERMONT
The Vermont Division of Tourism and Advertising and marketing has launched a Tourism and Financial Restoration Advertising and marketing Grant Program.
The grants are funded by means of a $600,000 appropriation by the Vermont Legislature meant to help regional tourism and advertising efforts to help restoration from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bennington Banner reviews the grants are for native, regional or statewide organizations that need to implement campaigns that improve tourism, help native companies and advance group restoration efforts.
The division will award grants to succeed in a broad viewers, together with underrepresented communities and new and numerous communities of holiday makers.
“We heard from group leaders across the state that the regional advertising grants awarded final yr have been very useful in getting Vermonters and guests again to downtowns and village facilities,” stated division Commissioner Heather Pelham. “The creativity and ingenuity of our native companions is at all times inspiring and we all know nice new advertising concepts and techniques shall be developed because of this program.”
